The price is right, the buyer's perfect, and the timing works. So you confirm the offer...
Right away, we start making calls, your buyer starts making plans and the solicitors begin the paperwork.
But what do you do next? Follow this guide.
Two things make this part tricky for sellers:
1. There's a lot of waiting around while solicitors do their thing
2. Every now and then, you'll get sudden questions or concerns that need sorting
It can feel like a rollercoaster - quiet one minute, chaos the next. This guide will help you through it.
The most important thing to remember at this stage is:
London’s number 1 in your corner
Trust us to keep your sale moving
As your estate agent, we're here to chase solicitors, manage your buyer and keep things moving forward. If anyone needs nudging or there are tricky conversations to be had, let us step in. That's exactly what we're here for.
Here's what else you need to know. Jump to:
What you should have ready now | Timeline from offer to exchange | What to do while you wait
Photo by Ruthson Zimmerman | Unsplash
These should be done ASAP
We recommend our sellers already have the following list squared away before they reach this stage. So if you don’t have them yet, you know where to begin:
• Instruct a solicitor – your buyer's first action is to have their solicitor apply for searches and review documents, so their solicitor will need to talk to yours.
• Ensure all paperwork is submitted – be sure you haven’t missed anything (see The documents you need to sell a house).
• Inform your mortgage provider – if you have a mortgage, inform your mortgage provider of your plans. If they raise any issues, let us know straight away.
To navigate the transition and ensure you're getting the best mortgage going forwards, we highly recommend using a mortgage adviser, such as our partner broker, Alexander Hall.
• Prepare your onward move – if you’re buying as well, we recommend you start looking as soon as we get your property on the market.
The Timeline
Hit the ground running
Your buyer will submit their mortgage application, request their solicitor to start searches and arrange any surveys.
You'll need to:
✔ Relay the details of the offer to your solicitor, so they can work to your time frame.
✔ Check that there are no outstanding documents.
✔ Leaseholders: check with the management company for your building, and make sure your management pack is progressing.
✔ Complete your fixtures and fittings form.
Your home-to-be
If you’re planning an onward move, this is when you’ve really got to kick into gear to make the timelines match up.
Wondering how it all works? Our experts answer frequently asked questions here: Top tips for buying while selling
The paperwork stage
The buyer’s solicitor is now conducting searches – Local Authority searches, Water and Drainage Searches, Land Registry searches and more – and reviewing all the paperwork you’ve gathered. Your solicitor helps them with their queries.
This stage tends to take around 12-20 weeks, but it can vary – shorter if you and your buyer are completely prepared, or longer if the solicitors hit a snag.
Make it official
Your solicitor will set up a draft contract, which the buyer and their solicitor will review. Then you'll see an edited draft. Once everyone’s happy, you sign on the dotted line.
Your buyer will put down their deposit, and the completion date will be set.
The big day
By midday of your completion day, you’ll need to move out of the property.
Be prepared and contactable, in case there are any delays in the purchase funds or missing bank deadlines – generally this won’t happen, but if it does, we’ll walk you through it.
When you’re all moved out, bring us your keys and you’re all set!
Processing the paperwork: What to do while you wait
While the solicitors work, it’s a bit of a waiting game for you. Here’s what you can do to keep the process going smoothly:
1. When you receive questions or requests for more information, respond quickly and communicate clearly. If you’re unsure, ask us – we’ve seen it all.
2. From time to time, there are snags - the survey turns up something you didn’t anticipate, the local authority is delayed, the buyer’s own sale stalls.
You may need patience, or you might have to make some quick decisions – but you're not alone. We’ve seen everything that can happen in a sale, and can give you reliable expert insight.
3. If you’re a buyer too, you’ll be busy on the other end of a transaction. Keep your purchase going smoothly with careful planning and clear communication, so you’re ready to put down the deposit on your new home when it comes through from your sale.
More information on selling your property:
• What happens at a property viewing
• Top tips: juggling your house sale and onward move
Source: The content in this article comes from, and was reviewed by, Foxtons Sales department, to ensure you have the most valuable information to hand when you’re selling property. If you have any questions, get in touch.
